Nicholas Leadbeater,
Associate Professor,
University of Connecticut

Nicholas Leadbeater, a native of the United Kingdom, is currently an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Connecticut in the USA. After undertaking his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge in organometallic chemistry, he stayed at that institution as a University Research Fellow for three years. He then moved to King’s College London as a lecturer before moving to his current position in 2004. Dr Leadbeater’s research group focuses on the development of new synthetic methodology. They use microwave heating and continuous-flow processing extensively as tools. In the area of flow chemistry, in the last year they have developed a route to the potent chemotherapeutic drug Cisplatin as well as performed a range of synthetic organic and organometallic transformations. Most recently they have used an on-demand gas delivery reactor in which it is possible to load gas and heat simultaneously for a range of reactions involving reactive gases. Alongside research work, Dr Leadbeater has a passion for undergraduate education, developing new courses and curriculum in chemistry. In 2010 he received the University of Connecticut Excellence in Teaching Award for the physical sciences.